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Open International Journal of Informatics (OIJI) Vol. 7 Special Issue (2019)
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* Corresponding author sarahghazali82@gmail.com
180
Piping Material Selection for Firewater Systems on
Offshore Platform using the Multi Criteria Decision
Making Method
Fadzlin Sarah Mohd Ghazali
*
& Mohd Khairi Abu Husain

Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100 Kuala
Lumpur

sarahghazali82@gmail.com
Article history
Received:
18 Oct 2019 Received in revised form
7 Nov 2019 Accepted
4 Dec 2019 Published online
25 Dec 2019 Corresponding author sarahghazali82@gma il.com
Abstract
The aim of this research is to evaluate the piping material selection using Multi-Criteria Decision-
Making (MCDM) methods fora firewater system in offshore oil and gas industries. This study uses
Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) software, Analytical Hierarchy process (AHP) and The
Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS) technique from MCDM
to determine the weight factor and material ranking respectively. Results of the study would conclude
that Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) material ranked the most optimal pipe material selected fora
firewater system.
Keywords: Firewater system, Multi Criteria Decision Making Method (MCDM), Offshore
Platform, Piping Material Selection
1. Introduction
Over the years, the oil and gas industry has been facing various challenges that require innovation of the offshore drilling platform. An offshore platform is located deep away in the sea starting up to ft and extending up to ‘ultra-deep water of ft [1]. Among the challenges of deep water offshore developments are the materials, design and analysis, fire safety, durability in seawater, inspections, manufacturing, repairs, quality assurances, and regulations [2]. Particularly fora piping system, the main challenges include design and material selection with importance placed on the most economical method. The term piping itself by definition refers to an overall configuration system of pipes, fittings, flanges, valves, and other components that are used to transport liquid or gas or both [3]. Each piping system requires the most suitable material selected for service. In order to transport the liquid throughout the system, a good engineer and designer shall design the most suitable routing while optimising the space available in an offshore platform. Firewater piping service is one of the most important piping systems in the design of offshore platforms. Fire cases most commonly occurring on offshore platforms are due togas leakages with relatively high ignition frequencies, probable fire escalation, and material damages which increase the risk to personnel [4]. There will be no immediate emergency firefighting services that could get to them in time to prevent such an event from happening. A firewater system philosophy is to

Open International Journal of Informatics (OIJI) Vol. 7 Special Issue (2019)
181 provide cooling of the exposed surface of equipment containing liquid hydrocarbons. It can also minimise the fire escalation while providing protection against heat radiation for personnel during the escape and evacuation process [5]. A reliable firewater system shall have to be sustainable in afire incident. It must also have a life expectancy of many years depending on the platform design life and must also be able to withstand any environmental factors. In this case, material selection plays a vital role in determining the reliability of the firewater system. A case study from Broadribb [6] has found that 50% of firewater sprinklers in gas compression areas are usually found to be corroded within the pipes which result inflow blockage thus limiting its effectiveness during fire incidents. A standard firewater piping system consists of a ring or header that supplies the sprinkler systems, firewater monitors, and fire hydrants with firewater. The current pipe materials for firewater piping that uses raw seawater as a medium varies from nonmetallic pipes such as GRE, to metallic pipes such as titanium and Cu-Ni [7]. GRE material is known for their low density, weight reduction and virtually maintenance-free material. However, these pipes have quite relatively high installation cost and it is not environmentally friendly as it is impossible to decompose naturally. For titanium pipes, the initial cost of fabrication and installation is relatively high compared to the Cu-Ni pipes. However, since it has high performance reliability, titanium is known to extend the routine maintenance interval and thus contribute to an increase in the overall life service of the pipes [8]. The aim of this research is to evaluate the piping material selection using Multi-
Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods for firewater systems in an offshore oil and gas industry. In order to achieve the objective, the following research objectives (RO) have to be fulfilled a. To identify the material candidate suitable fora firewater system in an offshore oil and gas industry b. To determine the material attributes fora firewater system using seawater service c. To analyse the material selection using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making method (MCDM). The next two sections, Methodology and Discussions, of this paper will discuss how these three objectives of the research are being achieved.